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Are you Apple Shaped or Pear Shaped?

You look into the mirror each day to assess whether you are at a healthy weight. Are you? Comparing yourself with celebrities may not be of any help here. If obese individuals surround you in your family, your perception of an average weight would be on the heavier side. Also, there are several factors which determine your weight. And then there is a range of healthy body weights. Indeed, it is a difficult task to make an objective assessment and you may underestimate or overestimate your weight.

What makes you the weight you are?
It could be the genetic make up which determines your size, height and weight. Being overweight can run in your family. Poor eating and exercise habits contribute to being overweight or obesity. If you eat more calories than your body needs to use, you can gain weight. Conversely, if you eat less and spend more calories, you may lose weight.

Ways to assess if you are at a healthy weight
Body mass index (BMI) You can calculate your BMI if you know your height and weight. Remember, your weight can vary according to your gender and also if you are stocky. To calculate your BMI, multiply your height in metres by itself. Then divide this figure by your weight in kilograms. And there you go, you have your BMI.

Recommended BMI
Less than 18.5 — Underweight Ideal Overweight Obese Greater than 40 — Very obese

Waist circumference
Measure your waist to know the amount of fat stored around your middle. Place the tape between your lower ribs and your hips, breathe out and measure the circumference. A waist measure that shows more than 94 cms in men and 80 cms in women suggests that you are at a risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes. The risk is higher if the waist measures more than 102 cms in men and 88 cms in women.

Waist-hip ratio
The ratio can give you the proportion of fat stored on your body around your waist and hips. Measure your waist around your navel and hips around the buttocks. Divide the waist measurement by your hip measurement. This will give you the waist-hip ratio. A ratio more than 1.0 in a man and 0.8 in women, suggests a greater risk of health problems.

Are you pear or apple-shaped?
Those of you who have fat stored around the middle are apple shaped while those of you who have fat stored around the hips and thighs are pear shaped. The shapes are linked to poor health risks. Research suggests that apple-shaped people having a paunch and a beer belly are more prone to health problems than those having a pear shaped body.

Weight ‘Ifs’
If your BMI and waist circumference is higher, you are overweight. Adopt a healthy lifestyle, make changes in your diet and increase physical activity to control your weight.

If you are underweight, you can end having nutritional deficiencies, anaemia, amenorrhoea — missed periods in women and osteoporosis later in life. Avoid dieting and fasting.
If you are a healthy weight but are unhappy with your shape, go for a supervised exercise programme rather than diet restrictions. Toning of specific muscle groups can help improve fitness and make you feel good.

Written by James · Filed Under Fats 

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